The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 18:17-23, “Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘The thing that you are doing is not good.

18 ‘You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.

19 ‘Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people’s representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God,

20 then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

21 “Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.

22 “Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.

23 “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.”

One of the more difficult things in life is to take issue with someone in your own family. Previously, I’ve told you how my cousin Jim and I used to argue. Our arguments, however, were not truly real. We solved problems by debating them; and sometimes the debate became pretty “heavy.” Still, we always walked away satisfied with what we had done and learned.

As the leader of the nation, Moses was the judge who determined who was right and who was wrong. He was virtually “worn out” when the sessions were concluded. His father-in-law saw his dilemma and stepped in to give some serious advice. There could have been some genuine family trouble between Moses and his father-in-law, but Moses was wise. After all, he was used to giving counsel to squabbles within the nation of Israel.

It’s good to have wise people around. From families to government, we all need wisdom. At the same time, all individuals and groups need the wisdom of the LORD! There is none greater! Remember verse 23 above: “If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure.”

So, don’t “fight” with one another, like Jim and I used to do. It frightens family members, even if it’s only done in fun. Trust always in the LORD. He does all things well.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Samuel 8:1-9, “And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judging in Beersheba.

3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah;

5 and they said to him, ‘Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.’

6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, ‘Give us a king to judge us.’ And Samuel prayed to the LORD.

7 The LORD said to Samuel, ‘Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.'”

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a nation that had no laws? It would be just as bad to live under laws that were never enforced! Imagine what it would be like to have an old man, who was either incapable of controlling peace in your town or, simply due to his advanced age, neglected his duties. That’s precisely the condition that existed in our verses above.

Samuel was not objecting to law and order; he was just too old to keep up with all that was going on. What would you do if you were in a situation like that? You would probably do exactly what Samuel did: he appointed his sons to conduct law and order in his place.

Then Samuel had a problem with the people! Whether they thought Samuel’s sons were too young to be in authority, or whether they did not see in them the ability to produce stability among the people, we’re not told. Yet, they objected to the boys taking charge.

What do you do in a situation like that? “Samuel prayed to the LORD.” Prayer is always our first line of defense. Why not make it our first line of operation? So, the LORD said to Samuel: “Listen to the voice of the people. They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. Now, then, listen to their voice, solemnly warn them and tell them of the procedure of the king who will reign over them” (1 Sam. 8:7-9).

We never know what’s coming next! We may surmise that all will be well, but we cannot guarantee it. The LORD is our only hope. We must trust Him, knowing that He truly loves us.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 7:8-12, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

10 Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good, and an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”

For those who witnessed the television “kerfuffle” between the President of the United States and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the current President of Ukraine, “the end of (the) matter (was hardly) better than the beginning.” Still, differences of opinion have always existed, and from what was witnessed recently, they always will.

For “the end of a matter (to be) better than its beginning,” patience must exist with both parties and be present simultaneously throughout the discussion. Too often, however, personal haughtiness in attitude prevails. Solomon might well have been personally observing the confrontation in the Oval Office when he said, “.wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves (rather than destroys) the lives of its possessors.”

Perhaps the time has come for true believers throughout the world to humbly beseech our Heavenly Father for a true and unifying spirit on the part of all parties. Such is vital because never does one party alone possess all the solutions to such a serious dilemma.

At the same time, both parties (in whatever confrontation might exist) must prayerfully beseech Almighty God for a true and thorough resolution. The matter under discussion has a far-reaching perspective that encircles more than the constituents of both countries. It is the people of both countries, however, who ought to be uppermost in the minds of all parties. If the LORD is their Shepherd, they shall not want, except for universal prayer; and such is earnestly requested.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom